Lindsey Skinner Abbott

I am in Boise ID. I was originally going to have the sleeve done at the MFT in Germany. After a lot of red tape and drama they sent us to Mt. Home instead of Lakenheath. I took everything as a sign that I was not meant to have the surgery. I even got a referral here to the bariatric clinic but decided to wait. I really wanted to have the sleeve done. This is awesome news. My experience going to the MTF is there are no set rules. It is up to the surgeon and his program. The surgeon at Landstuhl did not make me do a 6 month diet and didn't really do a ton of tests. He did do the EDG since I do suffer from heart burn. I was one week away from surgery and he pulled my date since Lakenheath would not take me if I had he surgery. Looking back on the entire experience I realize that it was not really helping me prepare for the true outcome of the surgery. There were no support groups or help for after the surgery. The surgeon hadn't really done that many surgeries and I would have had to stay in the hospital for a week and basically be on my own after surgery. I am a firm believer everything happens for reason and I was meant to come to Boise and wait just 6 months for the surgery I want to be available by a group of doctors that work with bariatric patients daily. There are great support groups and very good follow up. I am so happy I didn't have the surgery in Germany. I don't know what the future hold for me as far as the surgery but I am thrilled about this news. One thing I learned it this....if any of you guys want to go over seas after your surgery they make you wait 5 years post-op and no issues in that 5 years. We are at the end of my husbands career so we are willing to take the risk.

What Tricare are you in? I just called TriWest and they said that the sleeve is still not approved?

I had a EDG today and I do have a hernia. My surgeon will repair it during surgery...for those of you who have had yours repaired do you still experience gerd/acid reflux or did it get better? I am getting the sleeve if that matters. TIA

I live in Germany and travel often. I have not had my sugery done yet...I am scheduled in a week! I would not travel over here that soon after sugery. It is difficult to find foods that you can eat or would like to eat. Walking will wear you out.Bathrooms can also be a issue. Most bathrooms are not public so you cannot just go in and use the bathroom. I think you will enjoy your trip much more if you dont have to worry about what/when you have to eat. Enjoy your travels! This has been the best three years of my life living over here!

Thank you all for the replies! Makes me feel better that I will not be making things worse!

I just had mine today. I can't drive but I would be fine going to dinner and a movie.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I will get a body pillow just in case! I will be in the hospital a few days so hopefully when I get home I can sleep on my side!

I am scheduled to have surgery in February. I always sleep on my side. For those of you who have had surgery and are side sleepers....do you think a body pillow would help with sleeping? I hate sleeping on my back! I have thought about sleeping in the recliner but not thrilled about it.

For those who had drain tubes after surgery...what did it feel like? Was it hard to move around with it? Did it hurt when they took it out?

LOL I think I just answered your post in a different thread! My surgeon told me that not all surgeons use them. He told me that he does the tube because if there is a leak it would go into the tube not my body. He also will keep me in the hospital 4 days. He said surgeons that do several surgeries a day don't use the tube. I think either way will be okay. I just want to know what to expect.

My surgeon said he does the drain in case their is a leak the infection would go into the drain instead of my body. He said many surgeons do not use a drain after they have done hundreds/thousands of surgeries. I guess it is just how they surgeon feels. I am not thrilled about the drain but it made sense to me.

I am feeling the same way. I am really scared to have surgery but the thought of not seeing my kids get married or have kids makes me more scared. I am 35 and haven't always been overweight. I to have talked with people and they have told me that I don't look like I need surgery. I am taller so my weight is hidden more. I have a 41 BMI, high blood pressure. and a herniated disk. When I went to get a MRI on my back the radiologist told me I was way to young to have a herniated disk! Because of these issues I started my journey in November. I live in Germany and am a military spouse so things are different with the approvals. I am hoping to be on the surgeons schedule for February! Since starting my journey I have had, what I like to call, therapy sessions in my own head! This are the things I came up with for reasons to have the surgery and why I got where I am today...fat and unhealthy! Being a military spouse for 15+ years I haven't had control over many aspects of my life...where I live,where I work, will my husband be home for dinner or even christmas! Eating was something I had complete control over...so I would eat whatever I wanted! I have tried to lose the weight but haven't been successful. During my so called "therapy sessions" I have realized what a profound effect being over weight has had on my life the last 8 years. I am depressed because of the way I look. When I truly reach down to the depths of my mind I find there are so many things I have missed out on because of my weight. Sure I probably came up with a different reason but I know the truth. So sorry for rambling...my bottom line for having surgery is I know that there are risks but the outcome far out weighs the risk. I want to run with my husband on these beautiful trails in Germany. I want to see my kids graduate from college and get married. I want to be healthy and not take blood pressure medicine. I want the old me back with a different outlook on eating and my heath!

They are not sending me to LRMC for surgery we are currently stationed at Ramstein. We are not moving to Lakenheath until May. There is a patient coming from England for the surgery but I am unsure of her circumstances. The surgeon at LRMC is starting a entire new program. He hasn't even started doing surgery...he will start doing them in January. From my experiences with MTF's much of the decision is up to your PCM. My PCM is very encouraging and helpful...willing to do what she can to help the process.

No problem Bittersweet! The surgeon here was very frank with me about what happens with a leak. He told me I would likely need to have a feeding tube to let the leak heal...if that didn't work then the stomach would have to be taken out! For that reason I felt comfortable as he was not just trying to get more surgeries under his belt so to speak! I actually work at LRMC and so I feel a bit better about care. He is just starting the clinic here and has only done more than 100 but less than 200....he hasn't had any complications yet but there is always the first one! We have been here at Ramstein for 2.5 years and are moving to England in May! That was another reason I am choosing to do it here now. They send patients from England to LRMC for the surgery. We love living here in Germany!

I currently live over seas in Germany. They just started a clinic up at LRMC. I met with the surgeon and really liked him. He seemed genuine. I am running into the same issue that he is not as experienced. Although he did tell me that he would keep me in the hospital 5 days and leave a drain in after surgery so if there is a leak he can go back in and the infection would not spill into my body. Now after reading your posts I am terrified of letting him do it. We do have the option to go to Frankfurt but the idea of not knowing languages terrifies me...I have to know what they are saying! I met with my surgeon first then he referred me to the nutritionist. I have to have three apointments with her and cannot gain weight. They have not said anything to me about a psych visit.